Premier League side Aston Villa have reportedly emerged as strong contenders to secure the signature of Manchester City forward Omar Marmoush, with sources indicating the club is positioned at the front of the queue alongside Tottenham Hotspur for the £59 million-rated Egyptian international.
Marmoush Seeks Fresh Challenge After Limited Opportunities
According to reports from Caught Offside, the 26-year-old attacker is considering his long-term future at the Etihad Stadium due to a lack of consistent first-team opportunities under manager Pep Guardiola. Marmoush, who joined City from Eintracht Frankfurt in January 2025 for a reported £59 million, has found his playing time significantly reduced in recent months.
The talented forward made an immediate impact upon his arrival in English football, scoring a memorable hat-trick against Newcastle United just three games into his City career. During his initial six-month period, he contributed seven goals and two assists in 17 league appearances, often operating in wide positions rather than his preferred central striking role.
Villa's Attacking Reinforcement Strategy
Aston Villa's interest in Marmoush comes despite their ongoing pursuit of former Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham, suggesting manager Unai Emery is keen to bolster his attacking options significantly. While Ollie Watkins remains the established first-choice forward, Marmoush's versatility to play both centrally and in wide areas makes him an attractive proposition for the Midlands club.
Sources close to the player indicate his preference is to remain in England rather than pursue opportunities elsewhere in Europe or in Saudi Arabia, potentially opening the door for Premier League suitors. Tottenham are also monitoring the situation closely, creating what could develop into a competitive bidding situation between the two clubs.
Guardiola's Pragmatic Approach to Transfers
Significantly, Pep Guardiola has reportedly given Marmoush permission to explore his options, with the City manager demonstrating a pragmatic approach to player sales. In a past interview with beIN Sports, Guardiola addressed the possibility of selling players to direct rivals, stating: "I think that means you are a small club. Big clubs make decisions for the benefit for all three parties: players, both clubs – and agents sometimes."
The Spanish tactician added: "So if they want to go to Chelsea or Manchester United or, I don't know, Liverpool or whatever, what is the problem? They are happy to be there, the club is happy for the transfer. Another player would come and we'd keep going: good spirit, good mood, and try to do it."
Recent Form and International Commitments
Marmoush's situation has been compounded by limited appearances this season, with just eleven league outings and only two starts in the last six months. The forward recently scored his first goal of the campaign in a rare start against Wolverhampton Wanderers, following his return from international duty with Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations.
During his final period with Eintracht Frankfurt before joining City, Marmoush demonstrated his prolific capabilities with fifteen goals and ten assists in just seventeen league matches, statistics that initially prompted City's substantial investment. His potential availability represents a significant opportunity for clubs seeking proven attacking talent at the highest level.
